News briefs from around Wyoming

From Wyoming News Exchange newspapers

Wyoming’s average gasoline prices up more than 10 cents in past week

CHEYENNE (WNE) — Average gasoline prices in Wyoming have risen 10.4 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.79 per gallon Monday, according to GasBuddy.com’s survey of 494 stations in Wyoming.

Prices in Wyoming are $1.10.8 per gallon higher than a month ago and stand 70.7 cents per gallon higher than a year ago.

According to GasBuddy price reports, the lowest price in the state Sunday was $3.19 per gallon, while the highest was $4.29, a difference of $1.10 per gallon.

The national average price of gasoline has risen 2.4 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.95 per gallon Monday. The national average is up 97.9 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 83.8 cents per gallon higher than a year ago, according to GasBuddy data.

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University of Wyoming enrollment down this semester

CASPER (WNE) — The University of Wyoming has seen a decrease in online student enrollment for the first time in five years.

The spring overall enrollment census is down 1.3% from last spring, said Vice Provost Shelley Dodd, and many of those are from the online school.

Dodd presented the census numbers to the university’s Board of Trustees on Thursday.

The change in enrollment represents 138 fewer students. Dodd said the online program lost 100 students since last year.

“The other thing we are looking for is is this a blip or is this a trend,” Matt Griswold, vice provost of online and continuing education, said. “So this is our first semester of being down after about five years of growth.”

Griswold said he does not think cost is a factor in the change. He did say the distance learning program may need to expand its offerings.

Exactly what they need to change remains unclear, Griswold said, adding the trustees will have a better understanding of where to place their efforts once enrollment data for Fall 2026 comes in.

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Grizzly sow and cubs spotted in Grand Teton National Park, possibly first sighting of season

JACKSON (WNE) — A Grand Teton National Park visitor spotted a grizzly bear mother and two yearlings on Sunday, possibly the first sighting of the season.

The bears were seen in the Cunningham Cabin area, about six miles south of Moran, said Teton Park spokesperson Emily Davis.

The sighting is the first that the park is aware of, but Justin Schwabedissen, the park’s bear biologist, is working to figure out if it is indeed the first sighting of the season, Davis said.

Despite a warmer-than-average winter and low snowpack, grizzlies in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem have emerged on their normal schedule.

The first grizzly report in Yellowstone National Park was on March 9, six days earlier than last year and a few days later than in 2022, 2023 and 2024.

Last year, a Teton Park employee had the park’s first confirmed grizzly sighting on March 19. Three more bear sightings, including the park’s first black bear, quickly followed.

“We’re right on track in the Grand Teton area for bear emergence,” Davis said.

Typically, male grizzlies emerge first, in March, and females with cubs emerge in April and early May, according to Bear Wise Jackson Hole. That said, it’s “not totally uncommon” for females to emerge this early, Davis said.

With bear season officially here, wildlife managers and advocates are encouraging humans to be on their best bear behavior. That includes securing attractants at residences and campsites, and taking precautions when in the backcountry, such as carrying bear spray, making noise and traveling in groups.

“Together, as a community, we have made tremendous progress,” Jackson Hole Bear Wise said in a press release. “Let’s keep up the great work.”

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Public comment sought on Wyoming voter registration change

CHEYENNE (WNE) — On Wednesday, in accordance with 2026 Senate Enrolled Act No. 5, the Secretary of State’s Office filed its notice of intent to amend Chapter 2 of its election procedures with the Wyoming Administrative Rules System to amend Chapter 2, Section 8, concerning documents allowed as acceptable documentation for durational residency upon a challenge, in conformance with 2026 Senate Enrolled Act No. 5’s amendments to W.S. 22-1-102(a)(xxvi), requiring that a qualified elector be a bona fide resident of the state of Wyoming for not less than 30 days before the date of the next election.

Copies of the proposed rules may be obtained on the Wyoming Administrative Rules System at rules.wyo.gov by using the advanced search for proposed rules, or by contacting the Secretary of State’s Office, 122 W. 25th St, Ste. 100, Cheyenne, WY 82002, 307-777-7378.

Public comments regarding the rules may be submitted by email via the Rules System at rules. wyo.gov by using advanced search for proposed rules and the “Provide Public Comment” link, or by emailing comments directly to Joe.Rubino1@wyo.gov.

The public comment period ends May 9.